Why people on a PIP ‘light touch' award still need a DWP review after 10 years
DWP explains the need for a PIP review even if someone has a condition unlikely to change.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed planned reforms to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will also include changes for people with an ongoing 'light touch' award, which is typically in place for 10 years before the need for a review.
Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms explained that PIP reviews are 'an important feature' of PIP to ensure the support 'continues to meet the individual's needs' as circumstances can change over time. He also said the review is needed to make sure the 'correct level of financial support is being provided'.
PIP is worth between £116.80 and £749.80 every four-week payment period. It's important to be aware that how much someone receives depends on the impact their condition has on their daily living needs.
Sir Stephen's comments came after Liberal Democrat MP Victoria Collins asked what steps DWP is taking to ensure people claiming PIP with chronic health conditions 'are not subject to reviews unless there is evidence of significant change in their circumstances'.
In a written response to the Harpenden and Berkhamsted MP, Sir Stephen said: 'People who receive the highest level of PIP and whose needs will not improve receive an ongoing PIP award with a light touch review at the 10-year point.
'The light touch review is intended to maintain a minimal level of contact with claimants to ensure nothing has changed and that we hold up to date information such as contact details.'
He continued: 'In the Pathways to Work Green Paper published on 18 March, we announced that we are considering ways to improve communication with people receiving these ongoing awards in PIP to ensure they provide the right reassurance for people whose conditions are unlikely to change and who are likely to remain on disability benefits for life that they will not be required to undergo regular award reviews.
'We have also launched a review of the PIP assessment, which I am leading. During this first phase of the review, I am speaking to stakeholders to gather views on how best to approach the review. We will then publish the Terms of Reference in due course.'
The planned welfare reforms are due to come into effect in November 2026 for new claimants. Existing claimants would not see any changes until their current award is due for review - the date of this can be found on your award letter.
Ongoing PIP awards
The latest DWP statistics show that at the end of January some 3.7 million people across Great Britain were in receipt of PIP.
The data also indicates that 1.5m PIP claimants have an ongoing award, of five years or longer, for a disability, long-term illness, physical or mental health condition.
More than 58 per cent of people claiming PIP for a visual disease have a monthly award of up to £749.80 for five years or more.
More than half of all claimants with general musculoskeletal conditions (50.8%) such as arthritis, muscle or joint pain, have been given a longer award, along with 49.5 per cent of people with a neurological condition such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy.
The current edition of the PIP Handbook explains the decision maker will make an award of PIP based on the impact of the claimant's health condition or disability on their daily life and their ability to live independently. It adds: 'The length of award will be based upon each claimant's individual circumstances.'
It's important to be aware the guidance from the DWP also says most claimants will have their award regularly reviewed, 'regardless of the length of the award' in order to make sure 'everyone continues to receive the most appropriate level of support'.
Some claimants will be given a limited term award for a fixed period of up to two years - DWP says these awards will not be reviewed. Limited awards with no review date are given where the claimant's health condition may be reasonably expected to improve.
Ongoing awards with a 'light touch' review
A 'light touch' review is typically awarded to claimants who have:
very stable needs which are unlikely to change over time
high level needs which will either stay the same or get worse
a planned award review date due on or at State Pension age
a special rules for end of life claim due when of State Pension age
The DWP guidance states: 'These claimants would not usually be expected to have a face-to-face assessment at review.'
Six conditions with PIP award of five years or longer
It's important to be aware people with different health conditions can be awarded PIP for up to five years or longer. The award is based on how the condition affects the claimant.
The conditions listed below have the highest percentage rate of five-year or longer awards given to claimants at the end of January 2025.
Visual disease
58,685
34,692
Musculoskeletal disease (general)
682,391
341,434
50.8%
Neurological disease
468,113
230,412
Respiratory disease
138,376
64,835
Autoimmune disease (connective tissue disorders)
19,542
8,697
Musculoskeletal disease (regional)
426,038
185,916
44.6%
Total number of PIP claimants
3,694,536
1,501,215
41%
PIP payment rates
You will be paid the following amounts per week (paid every four weeks in arrears) - depending on your award:
Daily living
Standard: £73.90
Enhanced: £110.40
Mobility
Standard: £29.20
Enhanced: £77.05
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